The Magic of Christmas, Bedford's annual Tree Festival at St Paul's, raised a further £23,000 for Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends and St Paul's Church in December. The latest fund-raising efforts bring the total raised to an amazing £250,000 since the festival began 25 years ago. The money is raised in a number of ways, including sponsorship from local businesses, the traditional Friday evening concert and the raffle. The daily choirs and performers help to bring in the thousands of visitors which last year totalled around 7,500. The funds raised are always divided equally between the two charities. Those for St Paul's go towards its work of keeping the church open for worship and welcome and for its support of the vulnerable in Bedford. The Hospital Charity's efforts will go towards refurbishing two dedicated cancer care rooms on the children's Riverbank Ward, enabling patients to receive specialist local treatment. Margaret Oakley, Festival Chair said: " We are utterly delighted at the continued success of this community event which brings in so many visitors to support such an important fundraiser. Many of the tree decorators, whether schools, charities or local community groups take such pride in creating the thematic decorations. The 2024 People's Trophy for best adult tree was again awarded to Lemon & Ginger while the junior award was given to Scott Primary School". This year marks the Silver Jubilee since the first Christmas Tree Festival at St Paul's. To celebrate this landmark year, the theme for 2025 is to be 'Christmas Past, Present & Future' and will again run for five days 3-7 December.
